as in extra
being over what is needed
any excess food from the party will be donated to a shelter for the homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in surplus
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
a new television season with an excess of sitcoms featuring wisecracking teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessiveness
a propensity for extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the wretched excess that is so often found in the world of show business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to lay off
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of excess
Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Drain any excess liquid; let cool.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026
Julianna Chen, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
There’ll be cuts in excess of $16 billion.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
You’ve been quoted as saying that that is really what the film is about — not so much drinking to excess as embracing the uncontrollable.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for excess
Adjective
But there is a troubling shift that occurs when success hardens into excess and gives way to fear, a paradox that emerges all too often.
—Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Drain any excess liquid; let cool.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
Reduce excess so the items that remain feel intentional rather than accidental.
—Julianna Chen, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
There’ll be cuts in excess of $16 billion.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
You’ve been quoted as saying that that is really what the film is about — not so much drinking to excess as embracing the uncontrollable.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for excess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excess
Adjective
-
Surcharges to cover rising fuel costs can't be added retroactively to existing bookings—so travelers who have purchased their airfares shouldn't worry about getting hit with extra fees.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Juegoal Window Hummingbird Feeder Window hummingbird feeders are an extra-fun way to watch the birds at home, attracting hummers for an up-close view.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Will the Rockies, who have a surplus of young outfielders, make a spring training trade?—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The law aims to dramatically reduce landfill waste — especially organic waste — and requires many businesses to donate edible surplus food to organizations like Feeding San Diego.—
Patty Oconnor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Office of Personnel Management has just taken a sensible step to deal with the problem by proposing that federal agencies lay off their lowest performers first.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Despite potential low pay, healthcare has been heralded as a fast-growing career path safe from both AI disruption and recessionary impacts—leading to an influx of interest and job openings within the profession, while other sectors lay off staffers in droves.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Stacks of his plates once filled every spare inch of this restaurant.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Service for products on the vintage list depends on spare parts availability, whereas Apple does not provide hardware service or parts for products on the obsolete list.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The main attraction was its abundance of outdoor space, including a front balcony, a rooftop deck and a garden area.—
Carisa Crawford Chappell,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds are drawn to the abundance, taking advantage of a resource that is otherwise scarce.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Smith was sacked 55 times behind a shaky offensive line and threw 17 interceptions -- both league highs last season.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
He was sacked 55 times, which tied Titans quarterback Cam Ward for the most in the league.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The airport also has an economy lot west of Terminal B with 3,300 parking spaces, which is used as an overflow lot when the main parking lots are full.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
High tide flooding, the overflow or excess accumulation of water that covers typically dry coastal land during times of high tide, is happening more often in many coastal communities, even on generally quiet weather days, according to NOAA.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The city is on track to release a catalogue of eight pre-approved designs this year to streamline the process and trim costs on homeowners.—
Mark Dee
March 12,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
-
How To Dethatch Your Lawn The day before dethatching, mow your lawn as usual to trim the grass and remove excess debris from the lawn, then water the lawn lightly.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excess. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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